State Approaches to Prescription Drug Abuse

2014-02-24T03:11:48-05:00https://images.c-span.org/Files/2b9/201402231454481001_hd.jpgMembers of the National Governors Association Health and Human Services Committee discussed state efforts to combat prescription drug abuse. Governor Bentley of Alabama in his remarks emphasized the need for prescribers to be more educated about abuse because the problem starts with them. He also described legislation in his state to make it a crime for those who “doctor shop.” Governor Shumlin of Vermont told stories to back up his belief that treatment waiting lists do not work, and a new revolutionary proposal in his state that would change how the judicial system would treat certain abusers.

“Battling an Epidemic: State Efforts to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse” was a session of the National Governors Association 2014 Winter Meeting, held February 21-24.

Members of the National Governors Association Health and Human Services Committee discussed state efforts to combat prescription drug abuse. Governor Bentley of Alabama in his remarks emphasized the need for prescribers to be more educated about abuse because the problem starts with them. He also described legislation in his state to make it a crime for those who “doctor shop.” Governor Shumlin of Vermont told stories to back up his belief that treatment waiting lists do not work, and a new revolutionary proposal in his state that would change how the judicial system would treat certain abusers.